Page 44 of Darkest Kiss

But it's hard to hold onto that thought in a bed that smells like him, under the weight of an arm that took a bullet for me, in a building where a man clearly pines for me.

This is terrible and traitorous, but I could get used to this. Being kept. If being kept means he's always here, then maybe the cage isn't the worst thing that's ever happened to me.

Maybe it's the safest I've ever been.

Beside me, Rian sleeps the sleep of a man who has no idea I might be revising the terms.

Chapter Ten

Noemi

Dark eyes watch me as I hurry down the street. I turn up my coat collar and cast a glance behind me. Nothing is there.

But I know he still waits.

When I turn back, I run into a dark man. I can't make out his face, but I shrink back and squint. Is it Rian?

Or worse, is it Andreas Vitelli?

The dark man reaches out a hand to me.

Heart pounding, my eyes fly open. I gasp into the darkness as I try to figure out where I am.

Ah. I'm in Rian's bed. And I'm not alone; his arm is wrapped around my waist, his thigh pressing against mine. A quick glance over my shoulder shows him sleeping soundly behind me.

We’ve slept together for a week straight since he was shot. And I’m gradually growing more and more comfortable with never leaving this bed.

It's funny. In sleep, he appears almost angelic, with his blond hair and eyebrows. His high cheekbones and ruggedly-built nose are a lesson in contrasts. The gentle dip of his top lip that flares out to a full, kissable mouth. A full day's growth is on his cheeks but it too is light.

What is it about this man that I find so terrifying, and yet so appealing? It must be his eyes. The pale green of his irises is stunning, almost creepy. And he always stares at me with such complete focus.

Coupled with his imposing height and broad shoulders, he's a lot to take in.

Should I feel so much attraction to him? He's a good kisser, but it's more than that. I’m starting to worry that I’m forming such an attachment to him.

He’s a psycho, yes. But he’s my psycho. He’s made that clear enough.

Rian’s eyelashes flutter, making me suck in a breath. "You okay?" he asks.

I flush and turn away. "Mhm."

Rian's arm tightens around my waist. "Can you fall back asleep?"

"Yes," I whisper. "Sorry."

"Don't be." He kisses my shoulder, but says no more.

I listen to his breathing as it evens out and deepens once more. Sleep is easy for him.

A week ago, sleep was easy for me. But it's elusive tonight. I sigh, shifting. The dark room isn't what I'm used to. At my apartment, my bed overlooks a window that has a streetlight right below it. It took me a month to get used to sleeping with so much light; now it's impossible to fall asleep without it.

Rian turns so that he is fully spooning me. His muscular thigh slips between mine. I scoot back just a hair, trying to get comfortable, then freeze.

Rian's hard cock presses against my leg. At my swift inhale of breath, he sleepily kisses my neck. "Ignore him. He'll get the idea eventually."

Too late for that. My entire body bursts into tingles. The flush from my cheeks spreads to my chest. For a moment, I feel as hot as I did on the Gloss.

I should be perfectly still and ignore his raging erection, as he suggested. But I can't.